Baby Hostage: Doctor Faces Inquiry for Withholding Twins Over Mother's Debt

Doctor Under Investigation for Holding Twins Over Unpaid Bills

The medical doctor admitted before me that he had jokingly asked the 19-year-old mother of the twins...”

Medical director in Imo State under investigation for seizing twins, increasing bill, and assaulting mother and grandmother. Police intervene after public outcry.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has ordered an investigation into Silas Nwamadi, Medical Director of Goodwill Maternity in Obinze, Owerri West Local Government Area, over allegations of holding twin baby boys due to unpaid hospital bills. The twins, Chidindu and Chijindu, were delivered via cesarean section on May 4 but were kept at the maternity ward because their parents couldn't settle the medical bill.

CP Aboki Danjuma has also directed the immediate release of the twins. This development highlights concerns about healthcare access and financial struggles in Nigeria. In related news, CP Danjuma recently condemned the killing of four police officers and a civilian by gunmen in Owerri, Imo State.

A medical director in Imo State, Nigeria, is under investigation for allegedly asking a 19-year-old mother, Precious Okere, to hand over her twin babies in exchange for unpaid hospital bills. The Commissioner of Police (CP) ordered the probe after the medical director admitted to making the request, claiming it was a joke.

“The medical doctor admitted before me that he had jokingly asked the 19-year-old mother of the twins, Precious Okere, to hand over the children to him,” the CP stated. However, the CP took the statement seriously and scolded the medical director for lacking empathy towards the children and their mother, especially since some Nigerians had offered to cover the delivery bill.

The CP learned about the issue from Ngozi Okere, the grandmother of the twins, who petitioned him on October 23. She alleged that the medical director pressured her and her daughter to give him the twins in exchange for the bill, which the 19-year-old mother confirmed to the CP.

Investigation Details:

Allegations: Medical director asked for twins in exchange for unpaid hospital bills

Medical Director's Claim: Request was made jokingly

CP's Response: Ordered investigation, scolded medical director for lack of empathy

Circumstances: Nigerians offered to cover delivery bill; grandmother petitioned CP on October 23.

On Wednesday, a group of compassionate Nigerians, led by activist journalist Chidiebube Okeoma, visited the maternity to secure the release of the twins and their mother. However, the medical director increased the bill, despite initial agreements.

According to Okeoma, efforts to persuade the doctor to accept the original bill were unsuccessful. The situation escalated, with nurses allegedly assaulting the 19-year-old mother and her mother, resulting in:

Loss of the grandmother's phone

Injuries sustained by the grandmother

Assault on both the nursing mother and grandmother

Okeoma had previously advocated for the twins' release, highlighting their prolonged six-month stay at the maternity. His call to action prompted well-meaning Nigerians to contribute financially.

Pointers 

• Compassionate Nigerians intervened to secure twins' release
• Medical director increased bill despite initial agreements
• Nurses allegedly assaulted mother and grandmother
• Grandmother lost phone, sustained injuries
• Previous advocacy efforts led to financial contributions from Nigerians